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Israeli soldiers shot dead four Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday during an incursion into the Palestinian territory, Hamas and Palestinian ambulance workers said. According to Reuters, an Israeli army spokeswoman said soldiers entered the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip after opening fire at gunmen preparing to plant explosives along the border. Hamas said the men belonged to its armed wing.

Describing Wednesday's incident, Palestinian eyewitnesses said Israeli troops entered a village near the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis and exchanged fire with the Hamas fighters.

Before the latest clash, Israel's Defence Ministry issued a statement saying it would reopen all commercial border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Thursday.